Apparatus for collecting and containing oil on the surface of water



Oct. 6, 1970 J. M. VALDESPINO 3,532,219

APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING AND CONTAINING OIL ON THE SURFACE OF WATER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 22, 1969 INVENTOR J05 M, m flfJf/NO BY ft A ATTORNEY S 3,532,219 APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING AND CONTAMI- ING OIL ON THE SURFACE OF WATER Joe M. Valdespino, Orlando, Fla, assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, to Water Pollution Controls, llnc.,

a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 22, 1969, Ser. No. 818,284 Int. Cl. Btlld 17/02 US. Cl. 210-242 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Portable inflatable apparatus for confining and collecting oil on the surface of water, separating the oil from the water and containing such oil until collected, without the use of mechanical parts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates generally to the separation of fluids having different specific gravities and relates particularly to apparatus for confining oil on the surface of water to a specific locality and thereafter collecting the oil and discharging the same into containers.

Description of the prior art Heretofore some efforts have been made to confine and collect oil and other materials, both liquid and solid, by placing a floating barrier around the material and then pumping or otherwise removing the material from within the barrier. These devices normally have included a depending skirt of substantial length to maintain the barrier in position and to reduce the effects of wave action on the barrier and have been relatively heavy and difficult to handle particularly when in storage. The barrier has been small so that the buoyancy of the same was not excessive and in some instances a bulwark or sail has been provided on top of the barrier to prevent material from passing over the top thereof, particularly in rough water. These devices have been heavy and bulky to handle, difiicut to manufacture and maintain, required that a long and expensive cleaning operation follow use of the device, diflicult to transport to the point where needed due to size and weight problems, and for other reasons have not been satisfactory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an apparatus for collecting and containing oil or other foreign material floating on the surface of water and includes an elongated tube which may be several thousand feet long and have a relatively large diameter and which normally is carried by a reel in flattened condition when not in use. When it is desired to use the device, the reel can be mounted on a small boat or helicopter capable of moving rapidly to the site and then unwound to surround the area of an oil slick or the like. As the tube is being unwound from the reel, it is attached at spaced intervals to flotation members which form corners and which can be anchored to hold the position in which it was placed. After the tube has been removed from the reel, the opposite ends of the tube can be joined together to form a complete enclosure and thereafter a combination of water and air are introduced into the tube to expand the same to fully open position with the ratio of air and water being easily controlled in accordance with sea and Wind conditions which determine the amount of buoyancy necessary for the operation of the device. After the tube has been inflated, a plurality of tanks are connected to the leeward side of the tube and located exteriorly of the encirclement. Each 3,532,219 Patented Oct. 6, 1970 "ice of the tanks is connected by a hose to a trap fixed to the tube and disposed on the inner side of the encirclement. The air within each of the tanks is evacuated so that the Water level within the tank rises by atmospheric pressure until such water level is substantially at the top. Thereafter wave action will force oil and Water which have collected in the trap through the connecting house and will discharge the same into the tanks where the material of lighter specific gravity will rise to the top and displace material of heavier specific gravity.

It is an object of the invention to provide a lightweight relatively inexpensive apparatus for collecting and containing oil or the like, which includes an elongated tube capable of being formed in a ring to confine the movement of oil and to provide a plurality of tanks adapted to collect oil from within the ring and contain such oil until removed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lightweight disposable elongated tube member which can be inflated and easily placed around an oil slick to confine the same so that such oil can be removed and after the oil has been removed the tube can be punctured and permitted to sink.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective illustrating one application of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective illustrating the tube being removed from a reel.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective illustrating one end of the tube.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation illustrating the manner in which liquid and air are introduced into the tube.

FIG. 6 is a vertical section through one of the oil containment tanks and illustrating the operation of the device.

FIG. 7 is a section of one of the tanks shortly after operation has begun.

FIG. 8 is a section similar to FIG. 7 illustrating the tank substantially filled with oil.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged section on the line 99 of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With continued reference to the drawings, a relatively long lightweight tube 10 is provided which preferably is constructed of plastic or other inexpensive material having high tensile strength. The tube may be of any desired diameter and length although a tube approximately six feet in diameter and approximately 4,000 feet long is believed to be satisfactory. The tube 10 preferably has a seal 11 at both ends and each seal has one or more openings 12 therein. When not in use the tube 10 preferably is wound on a reel 13 and stored in any convenient location ready for rapid transportation to a point of use.

When an offshore drilling well or a tanker becomes disabled and springs a leak, the reel 13 is quickly moved to the site and placed onto a small boat 14 or onto a helicopter (not shown) which then encircles all or a major portion of the oil slick on the surface of the Water. As the tube is being unwound from the reel, a flotation member 15 is connected to the tube by straps or other connectors 16 at spaced intervals in such a manner that the tube will extend around the corner of the flotation member. Preferably each of the flotation members 15 has a weight or anchor 17 connected thereto by a chain or cable 18 so that when the flotation member is positioned it will remain in such location.

The opposite ends of the tube may be connected together, as illustrated in FIG. 1, by a connector 19 passing through aligned openings 12, or if a smaller ring is dictated by existing conditions, the opposite ends of the tube can be disposed in overlapping relationship with each other and the ends can be lashed or otherwise secured to an intermediate portion of the tube. It is contemplated that when a large oil slick is encountered, two or more tubes could be connected in end-to-end relation to provide a larger circle.

After the tube has been discharged from the reel 13, it is still in collapsed condition and is being supported solely by the flotation members which form the corners. In order to expand the tube to a buoyant condition, the boat 14 is provided with a motor-driven pump 20 having an inlet line 21 extending over the side and into the water and terminating in a suction head 22. The suction head may be covered by a wire basket to prevent floating debris from entering the pump and causing a jam. An outlet 23 is provided on the high pressure side of the pump 20 and such outlet terminates in a reduced venturi nozzle 24. The venturi nozzle 24 is located within a mixing chamber 25 having an air inlet line 26 communicating with the atmosphere and controlled by a valve 27. The opposite end of the mixing chamber 25 is provided with a discharge nipple 28 attached by a connector 29 to one end of a hose 30. The opposite end of such hose is attached by a connector 31 to a tube valve 32 providing communication with the interior of the tube 10.

When the high pressure water from the pump 20 passes through the venturi nozzle 24, the speed of such water will be accelerated in direct proportion to a reduction in pressure and will create a negative pressure or partial vacuum within the mixing chamber 25 to draw air through the air inlet line 26 into such chamber and entrain the air into the water being discharged into the tube 10. The ratio of air and water being discharged into the tube can be controlled by operation of the valve 27. In other words, under certain conditions it is desirable that the tube 10 will float high out of the water and therefore a greater percentage of air will be introduced into the mixing chamber. Under other conditions it is desirable to reduce the buoyancy of the tube 10 so that such tube will be low in the water and therefore the valve 27 will be substantially closed so that a greater amount of water will be introduced into the tube.

The introduction of air and water into the tube 10 causes such tube to be expanded so that it will float and form a barrier around the oil slick and will confine the slick to the area within the circle. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a prevailing wind indicated by the arrow 33 will cause most of the oil within the area encircled by the tube 10 to move toward one side of such tube.

At the leeward side of the encirclement a plurality of containers or tanks 35 are provided and each of such tanks includes a generally cylindrical side wall 36 and a top wall 37 connected to the side wall in airtight relationship. The bottom of the tank is open so that sea water can enter and be discharged from the tank. A flotation collar 38 such as an inflatable tube or a ring of foamed material such as Styrofoam or the like, is connected to the lower portion of the side wall 36 so that the tank will float with most of its length located above the water level and will remain in substantially upright position. Each of the tanks 35 has an inlet line 39 projecting through the side wall 36 slightly above the flotation collar 38 and the inner end of the line 39 may be connected to a pan 40 having a generally cylindrical side wall 41 and a top wall 42. The top wall 42 is perforated by a plurality of openings 43, while the bottom of the pan 40 remains open to permit ready passage of fluid therethrough.

The outer end of the inlet line 39 is attached by a connector 44 to one end of a flexible hose 45 and the opposite end of such hose is mounted by a connector 46 to a scoop 47. The scoop 47 is connected to and supported by the tube 10 by means of a bridle 48 and such scoop curves around the lower portion of the tube 10 and terminates in a trap 49 on the inner side of the encircle ment. The trap 49 is disposed slightly below the water level so that water and oil from within the encirclement will flow into the trap. If desired a trough 50' can be connected to the trap 49 and adapted to extend lengthwise of the tube 10 and be supported thereby in any desired manner. The trough 50 is adapted to direct oil along the length of the tube to the trap 43.

In order to cause water and oil to flow from the trap 49 into the tank 35, an air line 51 having a valve 52 therein is connected to the upper portion of the tank 35 and such air line may be connected to the low pressure side of an air pump (not shown) or may be connected to the air line 26 connected to the mixing chamber 25 of the pump 20. If the air line 51 is connected to the air line 26, the discharge nipple 28 may be exhausted back to the atmosphere so that the pump 20 is operated the venturi nozzle 24 will create a suction within the mixing chamber 25 and draw air through the air line 51 from the tank 35 and evacuate the air from such tank. When the air is evacuated the water level Within the tank will rise substantially to the top of the tank due to atmospheric pressure. When most of the air has been evacuated from the tank 35, the valve 52 is closed after which the air line 51 is disconnected.

The tank 35 may have an outlet pipe 53 communicating with the interior thereof an extending outwardly through a valve 54. Normally the valve 54 is closed; however, when sufficient oil has been collected within the tank 35 a tanker or other vessel can move to a position along side the tank and connect the outlet pipe 53 to an exhaust pump so that after the valve 54 is open the oil in the tank can be pumped. As the oil is being removed, the water line within the tank again will rise at least to the level of the outlet pipe 53.

It is noted that if desired the outlet pipe 53 could be omitted and oil could be removed from the tank 35 through the air line 51. Since the water level within the tank will rise as the oil is being removed, substantially all of the oil can be removed through the top of the tank. By removing the oil through the line 51 the possibility of column loss by venting is eliminated. Also if desired a sight glass (not shown) should be provided exteriorly of the tank and in communication with the interior at the top and bottom of the sight glass so that the level of the oil within the tank would be clearly indicated.

In the operation of the device the tube 10 is placed around an oil slick after which such tube is inflated by the pump 20 with a combination of water and air in substantially any desirable proportions to cause the tube to float on the surface of the water and form a barrier to prevent additional spreading of the oil slick. Thereafter, one or a plurality of tanks 35 are connected to the leeward side of the enclosure formed by the tube 10 and air is evacuated from such tanks so that the water level within the tank is substantially at the top thereof. The tank is connected to a flexible hose 45 having a scoop 47 suspended from the tube 10 and having an inlet located interiorly of the encirclement. The tank 35 is spaced a substantial distance from the tube 10 so that wave action moving in the direction of the prevailing wind will raise the tube on the crest of one wave while the tank is in the trough between waves, as illustrated in full lines in FIG. 6.

In this position the pressure head within the scoop will be greater than the pressure head within the tank so that water and oil from within the encirclement will flow through the trap 49, scoop 47, and the flexible hose 45 into the pan 40. Since oil has a lighter specific gravity than water, oil within the pan 40 will move upwardly through the openings 43 to the upper portion of the tank 35 and will displace the water level downwardly. As the wave moves on, the tube 10 will move to the trough between waves while the tank 35 will move to the crest, as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 6. The pressure head within the tank will be greater than the pressure head within the scoop so that water from within the tank will flow down the hose 45, while any oil trapped within the hose will move upwardly into the pan 40.

Since the action of waves is the newest thing there is to perpetual motion, this action will continue to collect oil within the traps 49 and cause said oil to flow into the tanks 35. As oil continues to flow into the tanks, the water level therein will continue to drop and be replaced by incoming oil until the water level drops substantially to the bottom of the pan 40. At this time a tanker or other oil carrier can be brought alongside a filled tank 35 and the oil can be removed through the outlet pipe 53 or the line 51 and the process repeated.

When the source of the oil slick has been depleted, the tanks 35 can be removed from the tube 10 after which the tube is released from the floation members 15. If the tube is made of expansive material, such tube can be cleaned and replaced onto the reel 13. However, if the tube is made of relatively inexpensive material, it can merely be punctured and permitted to sink since it would be more expensive to clean and recover the tube than it would be to replace the same.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for collecting and containing oil on the surface of water comprising an elongated hollow tube adapted to encircle the oil, means for inflating said tube with a combination of air and water, the opposite ends of said tube overlapping to form an enclosure, at least one buoyant separating tank located adjacent to and spaced from one side of said tube, said tank being open at its bottom and having its open end disposed under water, scoop means supported by said tube, hose means connecting said scop means and said tank, means for evacuating the air from Within said tank to permit Water to rise therein by atmospheric pressure, so that oil on the surface of the water within said enclosure will pass through said scoop means and said hose means by wave action and into said tank where it will rise to the top and displace the water level downwardly.

2. The structure of claim 1 including a plurality of floation members adapted to support said tube and to maintain said tube in predetermined position.

3. The structure of claim 1 in which said means for introducing water and air into said tube includes a pump means, a venturi nozzle on the pressure side of said pump means and adapted to discharge liquid under pressure into a mixing chamber, an air inlet line connected to said chamber and providing communication with the atmosphere, whereby movement of water through said venturi nozzle will create a negative pressure within said mixing chamber and will entrain air under atmospheric pressure into the water being introduced into said tube.

4. The structure of claim 1 including means for discharging oil from said tank.

5. Apparatus for collecting and containing oil on the surface of water comprising an elongated hollow tube adapted to encircle an oil slick, means for connecting the opposite ends of said tube, a plurality of flotation members for supporting said tube and maintaining the same in predetermined position, means for inflating said tube with a combination of air and water, venturi means for regulating the portion of air to Water being introduced into said tube, a plurality of floating separating tanks located adjacent to and spaced from at least one side of said tube, a flotation member supportingly disposed about each of said tanks, multiple scoop means supported by said tube, hose means connecting each of said scoop means to a separate tank, means for evacuating air from within each of said tanks so that the water lever therein will rise by atmospheric pressure, and means for discharging oil from said tanks, so that oil on the surface of the water within said circle will pass through said scoop means and said hose means by wave action and into said tank where it will rise to the top and displace the water level downwardly.

6. An apparatus for collecting and containing oil on the surface of water comprising tube means adapted to encircle the oil, at least one buoyant separating tank connected to and spaced from one side of said tube means, a flotation member supportingly disposed about said tank, the lower end of said tank being open and disposed below said flotation member, said tank adapted to have the air evacuated from the interior to permit water to rise therein by atmospheric pressure, hose means providing communication between the interior of said tank and the oil Within said circle so that oil from said circle will pass through said hose means into the tank when the tank is higher than the tube means due to wave action and oil discharged into said tank will rise to the top and displace the water downwardly.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,228,529 1/1941 Moeller 2l0-242 X 3,369,664 2/1968 Dahan 2l0-242 X 3,221,884 12/1965 Muller 2l0242 REUBEN FRIEDMAN, Primary Examiner T. A. GRANGER, Assistant Examiner 

